The Top 10 Reasons To Go To and Volunteer at The Hardy Hoe Down10) You haven’t been square dancing since 5th grade and you really want to relive those days9) You want to see your kids’ friends’ parents relive their 5th grade days8) You really want to learn the Cotton Eyed Joe dance since they didn't have that one when you were in 5th grade7) You’d like to see your kids square dancing so you can have something to laugh about together6) You've never volunteered at a Hardy event before and since your kid will soon be in 5th grade, it’s about time!5) You really just want to go so you can enjoy the Cookie Café and care nothing about square dancing4) You haven’t exercised all week and since you can burn 200-400 calories every 30 min you should go3) You might win the candy corn raffle prizes2) It will tire out your kids and they will sleep well that night1) Square Dancing is the state dance of Massachusetts and since you've never tried it you should finally jump on the bandwagon! Giddy up y’all!

The event coordinator/3rd Grade PTO VP, Jill Swilling, also needs an artsy/creative volunteer, or 2, who might be willing make large poster board signage for the night. Please contact her at jswilling99@hotmail.com for more details.

It's not too late to RSVP - send in the bottom part of the flier that went home last week or download a new copy (attached) Please return forms by November 4th.

UNICEF BOXES FOR HALLOWEENEvery Hardy student received a traditional, little orange UNICEF box this week. Please help your child fill it with coins, either by trick-or-treating or donating spare change from home. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is an organization that helps children in more than 150 countries both in times of peace and emergency. Last year the Hardy community raised over $1000 for UNICEF. Thank you for returning your child(ren)'s orange box to their classroom teacher or to the front office by Friday November 8th.

Book Fair FabulosityWhy is Ms. Muirhead so giddy? Because she's buried under an avalanche of new books for the library. Read all about the fabulous success of the PTO book fair here.

Awesome Author VisitDid you miss local author-illustrator Sage Stossel's visit to Hardy? If so, catch up on the details at the Hardy Library blog.

And we have a winner! BoxTop Update

Fourth grader Alex Dorson won the BoxTop Raffle and a gift card to The Capitol Theater! Many thanks to Alex's grandmothers, who clip and save BoxTops, and to all of you who have contributed. Because of you, we've raised over $600 so far. Please keep clipping, saving and submitting to reach our goal of $1,000.

MONEY MONEY MONEY!As of 10/29/2013, Hardy Annual Appeal has raised just over $12,400! Teachers have begun requesting help with curriculum based purchases...YOU CAN HELP!! A gift of ANY amount is welcome and appreciated. Donate on-line at www.hardyschool.com.

Community Happenings(If you would like to include a community event in the post, email the info to jenninma@verizon.net)

Halloween Event at Waldo Park, Thursday, October 31stAll are invited to the 8th annual Waldo Park Halloween Party on Thursday the 31st. We’ll gather beginning at 4 pm, and have a costume "fashion show" that’ll start around 4:30 pm. A light dinner (hot dogs and veggie items) will be served after the fashion show, so that all who wish can eat a meal before trick-or-treating. (Waldo Park is located at the end of Teel Street, on the north side of Mass Ave, between Mass Ave and Broadway).Looking forward to seeing many of you on October 31st!Alex HoffingerFriends of Waldo Park

Candy Buy-Back Program Benefits AEFBelmont Orthodontics and Belmont Pediatric Dentistry are offering a ”Halloween Candy Buy Back Program” November 1-15, 2013. Bring your unwanted candy to them, they will “buy it back” and give $1/pound to the donor and $4/pound directly to Arlington Education Foundation! Children will also have the option to donate the entire $5/pound to AEF. The buyback program is open to everyone in the Arlington community, not just their patients. Stop by their office at 11 Alexander Avenue, Belmont during office hours. More information

Arlington Children's Theater PresentsThe Big Friendly Giant By Roald DahlNovember 8-10Come enjoy some wonderful children's theater right here in Arlington! There are a bunch of Hardy children in the cast and the show is sure to be a hit!

Menotomy Musical Theater Presents...More amazing children's theater! Many Hardy children are dazzling in this production of...Performances November 8-10, 2013 Belmont Town Hall AuditoriumPuppets at ACA Presents“The Trolls and the Tree” by Galapagos PuppetsSaturday, November 16 at 2 pmArlington Center for the Arts theater41 Foster StreetArlington, MA Directions: http://acarts.org/directions.phpMore information: galapagospuppets.blogspot.comImportant Upcoming DatesThursday October 31 HalloweenFriday November 1 Teacher Inservice No SchoolTuesday November 5 Election Day, PTO MEETING 6:30-8pmFriday November 8 Hardy Hoe Down 6:30-8pmMonday November 11 Veterans Day No School

Safe Arrival – Please use this email address to notify the school by 8:30 am when your child will be late or absent, safe@hardyschool.com. You may also call the school at 781.316.3780.

Message from the nurse:Please remember to give the specific reason for your child's absence so the school nurse can identify particular illnesses that are spreading through the school. To receive updates and blogs on health, wellness and other related topics such as food recall Information, please go to the nurses page at www.hardyschool.com/nurse. Also, mandatory health forms for medication administration, allergy or asthma action plans and other health related documentation can be accessed through this site. I will try and keep you updated on all recent events and information that can impact health and wellness. Thank you!